Electric lamp.



C. l. STEINMETZ ELECTRIC LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 19, 1903.

Patented Mar. 3i, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1A Witnesses: lfm/shim 1 j? ge @L d). Charms@dgigssez'rmwstzi C. P.' STEINMETZ.

ELEGTRG LAMP. APPLloATloN FILED DBG. 19, 1903.

Patented Mar. 31,v 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor C harias P. Seinmez.

tty

Witness-es:

STATES "PATENT orf-FICE. g

orunLEs I.L srEINMErz, OESCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, AssIeNoR To GENERALELECTRIC COMPANY, A, coEPoEA'rIoN or NEW YORK. f

ELECTRIC LA Mr.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Man 31 1914.

`- Application filed December19, 1903. Serial No. 165,790.

Toclll'whom it may concern "Be it known* hat I, CHARLES P. STEIN-iim'rz, a cltizen of the United States, resid- Ing' atv Schenectady, `inthe county of Sche- ,ineCt-ady land State of VNew York, have inlcurrentbetween' the electrodes inthese lamps. y My` present invention has forone of Its objects the provision of improved means to jvstart thecurrentiow from the vaporizable electrode. v Y v A further/object of mypresent invention is 'td obtain an advantageous construction andarrangement of the various parts which constitute a 'complete ldevice ofthe charac-` ter' specified. i The various features of novelty whichcharacterize my Invention are pointed out with. particularityin ltheclaims appended to ald forming a part'of this'speciication. For a betterunderstanding of my invention, reference may be had to theaccompanyingfdrawings in which I have illustratedembodiments ofmyinvention.

Figure 1 'is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevationillustrating one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 3 is a par-rtial-sectional lelevation showing a modification; and Fig. 1 is a viewsimilaito Fig. 3

showing another modification.

Referring .particularly to Figs. land 2 of the drawings, 1 representstheenvelop of an exhaustedchamber in which the vapor conductor islocated. The .envelop may be cylindrical in-general outline and ispreferably jformed ywith an enlargement 2 at its upper end and anenlargement 3 near its lower end.

Below the enlargement 3 the tube is reduced somewhat in diameter.v This:envelop ,mayy

be formed? offglas's' and is of course-trimspar-v. ont. the'devxce whichthe ilament 7' passes.

lmercury carried `'in the cup is; intendedfto .operate fTheflQ/Wrignd:of

lamp, as in the construction illustrated. A

terminal conductorlt passes through the upperI end of the envelop 1 andcarries atits Inner end an electrode .5 which may be yformed ofartificial graphite, iron orthe like.l

The electrode 5 is located below the body of the enlargement 2 Vwhichserves as a condensing chamber. The portion of the conductor 4 whichextends between the electrode 5 and the wall oftheenvelop lissurroundedby a non-conducting jacket 6 which may also be -formed of glass. Fromthe lower end of the electrode 5 a conducting filament 7, which may beformed of carbon, extends towardthe ,other electrode. Suitable guides 8which may be of glass project inwardly from the envelop andhavelapertures formed in their inner ends through These guides serve to holdthe `filament ina central posif tion'witlireferencefto .the wall of theenvelop. In the lower end of the envelop is located a mass of fluidvaporizable material such as mercury 9 which .forms one ofthe mainelectrodes ot' the lamp. terminal conductor 10 passes through the lowerpor `.tions of the envelop into the `mercury 9.I A

member .or plunger 11 normally floats in the mercury. The member l11,which is formed of magnetic material such as iron, comprises twocylindrical portions 12 and 13 of a dianieter'which allowsthem to slidefreely inthe reduced ylowervend of `the envelop 1, and these portionsare connected by an inter mediate portion 14C of reduced diameter. Thelower reduced portion of the tube 1 is yindented intermediate its endsto form stops 15 located between'the enlarged portions 12 and 13). Thesestops-limit the-movements of the member 11. lVhenlthemember A11 floatsfreely in the mercury, the stops 15 allowk the -portio11'12'to projectabove` the surface of the mercury,.as shown in Fig. 2. When :the

member 11 is urged toward the bottom of the envelop in themannerihereinafter de scribed, the stops 15 prevent the ylower endr f ofthe ymember 1,2 from impinging against *the lower end of the envelop 1..A` cup-like depression-or chamber normally filled with 16 is formedinthe upper end o the member 11. VVhenthe member 11-. 1s 111 the ositionshown in Fig. 2 the lower end of the .filament 7 dips into `.the mercury16 located in the upper end theenvelop. 1 passes through aperturesformed in the end plates 17 of a solenoid magnet 18. The end plates17lare secured by means of screws to a cylindrical non-magnetic shell or aspool 19 upon which the winding 20 of the solenoid is wound. Acylindrical member 21 formed out of magnetic material and provided witha number of Ventilating apertures 21 surrounds the winding 2O and issecured to the end plates 17. This. cylindrical member forms part of themagnetic circuit of the solenoid and is of assistanceV in obtaining theproper strength and disposition of the magnetic field produced by thewinding 20. Binding posts 22 land 23 are secured in any suitable mannerto the under side of the lower end plate 17. The' ends of a pair of rods24 pass transversely through passages formed for the purposes in thebinding 'posts 22 and 23 to which they are detachably secured. Thebodies of thel rods 24, which are at right angles to the ends,extendparallel to the envelop 1, and their 'upper ends pass throughaconcave reflector member 25 arranged to` direct downward some of thelight emanating fronrwlthin the, exhausted envelop. The reflector 25closes the lower end of an inverted cupshaped hood 26 preferably formedout of sheet metal'.v An inverted U-shaped member 27 through the ends ofwhich rods 24 pass, is clamped against the upper side of the reflector25 by nuts which are screwed on the ends of the rods 24 above the endsof the member 27 and below the reflector 25. The U-shaped member 27 issecured to the hood 26 by'means of a bolt 28 and-a nut 29. The bolt 28may be extended to forma hook or the like by whichthe device may besecured to a suitable support. An annular member 30 formed of somesuitable refractory material such as soapstone is located within thehood. Suitable-resistance conductors 31 and 32 are Alocated in annular.grooves formed for the purpose in vthe upper surface of the member 30.V@ne terminal of the resistance conductors 31 an'dv 32 which may be'connected in series, is connected to the inner end -of a binding post33 carried on the upper side ofthe hood 26. The other end of thelresistance conductors 31 and 32 grounded to the metal hood which iselectrically connected with the lower end plate of the 'solenoid coil 18through the reflector member 25 .and rods 211. One terminal of thewinding 20 1s 1n electrical connectlon with the end-plate 17. The other.terminal 34 of the winding 2O is connected to the ter-u minal conductor10.4 The terminal conduc-l tor 11 isponnected .through a conductor 3.6to a binding post 35 carried by the-hood 26. Spring clips 24;l arecarried by the rodsf24. These clips serve to position the upperend ofthe envelop 1. When it is desired to remove the envelop from the lampstructure,

'theplunger or member 11 'is in the position shown in Fig. `2, whichrepresents the outof-service condition of the lamp, a circuit isestablished between the electrodes 9 and 5 by means 0f the filament 7,mercury 16, and member 12. Upon connecting the binding posts 33 and 35in a suitable electric circuit, current will begin to fiow from thebinding post. 35 through the conductor 36, terminal conductor e,terminal 5, filament 7, mercury 16, `member 11, mercury electrode 9,terminal conductor 10, terminal 34., winding 20, rods 21, reflector 25,hood` 26, resistance conductors 31 and 32 to the binding post 33. l'hepassage of current through the winding ,20 will cause the member 11 tobe totally l7 'an arc willbe formed between the filament and the mercuryin the cup.v This arc will be continued after the member is entirelysubmerged in which case it will extend from the surface 0f the mainbodyo f mercury with which the mercury 16 is nowl united. The forma-tion ofthis arc will cause the envelop 1 to be filled with conducting vapor,whereupo the current will desert the filament-7 an will flow between theelectrode 5 and the surface of the mercury 9y through the conductingvapor. When for any'reason the circuit through the coil 20isinterrupted, as by throwing the lampout of service, the member 11willimmediately return to the position shown in Fig. 2 by reason 'of itsbuoyancy and thevend of the filament 7 will again project into themercury'carried inthe upper end of the member 11. The resistanceconductors 31 and form `a regulating resistance for the lamp. More orless of these conductors may be included in the lamp Circuit accordingto the circumstances of use and in some cases they may be dispensedwithentirely. The enlargement 3 of the envelop is so ,located that thesubmergence of the member 11 produces but a slight change in the levelof the mercury 9 which extends into it. n

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3 the member' 11 is in thevform of a glass tube, the lower end of the tube being Aclosed andenlarged as indicated at3'7. A mass of magnetic material v38, which mayconsist of a bundle of iron wires, is placed in the lower oud of thetube.l Av partition or diaphragm 39 closes the 'tube above the magneticmaterial thus formingv a closed and hermetically sealedl chamber 19inwhich the magnetic materialy is located and leaving a cup' or recess r41above the diaphragm which is l illed with mercury 42. Aterminalconductor 43 passes through thi diaphragm 39. Another, terminal44.` projects through the lower end of the tube.v The conductors 43 and44 which are electrically connected with one another, areprei'erablyformed of platinum and in fact may consist of an integral piece ofplatinum wire. Afquantity of mercury 45 substantially fills-fthe spacein the chamber `40 unoccupiedby the wires forming the magnetic mat-erial38. Itwill, of course, be understood that the lmercury in the chamber'should'not entirely ill it so that the expansion taking place when theto break t e tube. It is not essential that allair be emovedfrom thischamber but the chamber' should lpi'eferablybe heated at the time ofsealing. As shown in Fig. 3 the enlargement 37- of the member 11 playsin an enlargement 46 of .the envelop. The engagement of the enlargement37 with the upper end .of the enlargement 46 serves to limitthe upwardmovementof the member 11. At the lower end of the enlargement. 46 asmall pocket ,47 is formed into which the tip of the member 11 andprojecting conduct-or 44 extend when the member l1 is submerged. Thisprevents the tip and the conductor from impinging againstthe wall of`the envelop. A 'winding 20', similar to the winding 2.0, is placedaround the lower end of thel envelop 1. The operation l,of thisform ofmy invention is practically identi,- cal ywith that of theform shown inFigs. l and 2.

The enlargement 3 of the envelop 1,A shown in Figs. 3'and 4 andcorresponding in position to the enlargement 3v of the form shown inFigs. 1 and 2, forms a very good lcondensing chamber. The extension 3"in line with the body of the envelop' serves to steady the arcandimprove the operation of the'condensing,chamber formed bytheenlargement. With this co'nstruction the condensing chamber formed bythe enlargement Qlat the lextreme upper end of the; envelop may bedispensed with if desired. The extension 3 forms an'annular lip aroundthe upper portion of the 4interior of the condensing chamber` 3, andintercepts the How of mercury fromits `normal positionin case the lampis accidentally invertedi: during transportation. p

55 In order that the member 11 should not have too close a fit in thelower endv of the envelop, an annular 'ridge48 may befformed about theglassV coveringof the member 11 v'as shown in Fig.v 3. This assistsf incentralizing the Iiioating member 11 while at the same vtime preventingmember 11 `from 'coming 1n contactgwith the inner wall ofthe-envelop 1.vand sticking thereto. f A l Y as In the form of Ymy invention shown..

tube is heated will not cause the mercury Fig. 4 the lower end of thefilament 7 is secured to a block 49 of carbon, graphite or the likewhich is carried'by la. glass armor support 50 similar to the guidesS.The block may serve as a stopte limit the upward movement of the plunger11 thus'doing away with the enlargements 37 and 46 of the mem-ber 11vand envelop respectively shown inFig. 3.y In' this form `the lower lendof the iilament 7 'is firmly anchored in place and a strong mechanicalarrangement is obtained. L

What I claim as new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is,-

1. In combination, anexhausted envelop',a non-vaporizable electrode, afluid vaporizable electro-de, a member in said fluid elec trode, saidmember being provided with a recess or receptacle, a second bodyof'vaporizable fluid in said recess or receptacle, means for causing anarc to be started between the non-vaporizablc electrode and the Huidcontained in said recess or receptacle, and means for causing ,saidmember` to be submergedy in said finid vaporizable electrede. I

2. The combination of an exhausted envelop, two bodies of vaporizablematerial therein, said bodies being initially separate but electricallyconnected within the en` velop, and means for starting an arc from oneof said bodies by relatively moving said bodies.-

3. In a vapor electric device, the combination oit' an envelop, a massoivaporizable .100 material located at one'end thereof but out oi"contact therewith, means for changing the level of said vaporizablematerial and means cooperating with said vaporizable material to startan arc.

4. The combination of anexhausted envelop having an enlargement at oneend, a iuid electrode located at that end of the envelop, a plungerhaving an enlarged end located within Vthe enlarged end of said enivelop,l a'stop for limiting the movement of said plunger and means formoving said plunger. 4

5. In combination, an -exhausted envelop, al fluid electrode, aconducting filament adliacent thereto, marc-starting plunger lioat ingin said fluid electrode and carrying means 'initially' engaging saidfilament, and means for moving sald engaging means out of lenga-gementwith .said filament 6. In combination, an exhausted envelop,a'luid.--electrode,a conductor in fixed relation to said envelop, andmeans iioating in said iuid electrode and movable with respect to saidenvelop for initi-ally connect 125 ing said conductor and saidelectrode.

.7. In combination, an exhausted ,envelop of rigid material, a xedconductor, `a. member in said envelop carrying Aa movable bod-y lofvaporizable material initially in Contact iso iso With said conductor,and means for moving -said member'to cause said body of Vaporizablematerial to move out of contact With said conductor.

8. In a vapor electric apparatus, astationary evacuated envelop, asolidconduc- .tor fixed therein, a movable body of vaporizable material inlsaid envelop and initially in contact with said conductor, and

means responsive to flow of current through said apparatus for movingsaid body of Vvaporizable material out of contact with said conductor toinitiate an are in said envelop. e f

9. In avaporelectricapparatus, the combination of an exhausted envelop,a body of fluid conducting material therein, almember in said bodyhaving a fluid-containing pocket or chamber, means for movingsaid 'saidenvelop, a second mass of vaporizable material located in said envelop,a nonvaporizable conducting body located in said envelop normally incontact With said seci ond body of vaporizable material, and means forseparating said non-vaporizable conductor from said second body ofvaporizable material, to form an arc.

12. The combination of an exhaust'edenvelop, an electrode and two bodiesof vaporizable vmaterial therein, means for moving one of said bodiesuntil it unites With the other body, and means for starting an arckduring this movement.

13. -In combination, an exhausted envelop, amain body of vaporizablematerial and an auxiliarybodyy of vaporizable material separatedtherefrom, and means for starting an' arcv from said auxiliary body as acathode and forl transferring said arc to said mainI body. i 14. In5,Ambination, an exhausted envelop,

- two bodie vaporizable material, an electrode, and'means for startingan arc be- 'tweenbneof said bodies of vaporizable ma-v terialand..v said'electrode and for transferring the -arc from the one of said bodies tothe other of said bodies.

. 15.A In combination, an exhausted envelop,

a conducting `filament, an electrode of fluid vaporizable material,l an'arc-starting ,plunestablishing electrical connection With said.

filament and movable 4in line with said filament.

17. In a vapor electric apparatus, a float provided with a pocket andhaving its outer surface insulated, and a conductor extending from thepocket to the loiver end of the float.

18. In a vapor lamp structure, a top meinlber, a inagiietizing coilpivotally supported therefrom, and an exhausted envelop supported insaid magnetizing coil and containing are starting means With Which saidmagnetizing coil may co-act.

19. In a vapor lamp structure, a top member, a magnetizing coilsupported therefrom,

and an' exhausted envelop supported in said magnetizing coil andcontaining arc starting means ivithwhich said magnetizing coil maycoact, the top of said envelop being movable sidewise to clear said topmember when the envelop is to be removed from the coil. Y

20. In a vapor lamp structure, a supporting member, a member extendingtherefrom, a magnetizing coil pivotally connected thereto, and anexhausted envelop supported by the coil.

21. In a vapor lamp structure, a reflector, a magnetizing coil supportedtherefrom, and an exhausted envelop supported by said coil and extendingtoward said' reflector, said envelop containing a movable magnetizablemember With` Which said coil may coact.

22. In ay vapor lamp structure, a supporting member, a member extendingtherefrom, a magnetizing coil pivotally connected there to, and anexhausted envelop supported by the coil.

23. The combina-tion of an exhausted envelop, a fluid electrode therein,a conducting filament adjacent to said electrode, an arcstaiting plunger'floating in said 'Huid electrode and initially providing a path forcurrent through said filament, and means for moving\said plunger tochange the nature` of said path.

Inv Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day ofDecember, 1903.*-

BENJAMIN B. HULL' HELEN Oimcim.

